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Ann Savoy Biography

Ann Allen Savoy, a native of Richmond, Virginia, moved to Louisiana in 1977 and began photographing and documenting Cajun music and Cajun musicians. Cajun Music, A Reflection of a People-Volume I of this series appeared in 1984 and won the prestigious Botkin Book Award.

She also wrote the chapter on Cajun and Zydeco in the book American Roots Music, Rolling Stone Press, as well as authoring numerous articles and historic CD booklets on Cajun music.

Ann is primarily known as a musician and is a four-time Grammy nominee, for her duet album with rock star Linda Ronstadt, for her Cajun tribute album Evangeline Made, and for two of her albums with the internationally known all-woman Cajun band, The Magnolia Sisters.

She has produced award-winning albums for the Vanguard, Arhoolie, and Valcour labels. She has appeared as a musician in two major motion pictures: The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and All The King’s Men.

Ann has traveled the world over playing music with her husband, musician and accordion builder Marc Savoy in their bands The Savoy Doucet Cajun Band and The Savoy Family Band as well as traveling with The Magnolia Sisters and Ann Savoy and Her Sleepless Knights.

Today she lives on the Louisiana prairie on the seven-generation owned Acadian homestead of the Savoy family where she continues to write, photograph, play music, entertain, and generally live a rich life.

www.annsavoy.com

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Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie Records Founder
July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023

We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.

He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.

Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.